Passenger restrained on American Airlines flight 618 after violent outburst

On the evening of Thursday, September 3, 2026, chaos erupted on American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas to Newark. A 67-year-old male passenger initiated a verbal and physical altercation, directing racist and homophobic slurs at a fellow passenger and a flight attendant who attempted to intervene. According to reports, the man physically struck the passenger sitting next to him, destroyed a laptop, and pushed a woman who tried to assist. The situation escalated to a point where the crew and other passengers were forced to restrain the individual to his seat using zip ties and duct tape to ensure the safety of those on board.

The disturbance compelled the pilots to divert the aircraft to Baltimore, where the unruly passenger was taken into custody by authorities upon landing. While the specific identities of those involved remain undisclosed, the incident forced a significant change in the flight's route, impacting travel plans for all aboard. The airline staff acted to neutralize the threat following the passenger's aggressive escalation in the cabin.